Monsterface

...in ancient Sumeria, there lived a gladiator and warrior named Auithmot. Born in 2350 BC, Auithmot's mother Tullia had her hands full as his father died in battle just three months before Auithmot was born, leaving her to raise their son alone. As he grew, it was clear Auithmot would become a great warrior like his father. Auithmot's prowess in all things physical was apparent, as was his fatal flaw; hubris, or overwhelming pride. Known across the land for his vanity, Auithmot often boasted of his good looks and frequently told tales of his numerous conquests with women. Countless husbands found themselves unable to stop their wives from falling for Auithmot.

Now the king, Sargon of Akkad (Also known as Sargon the Great) was married to Antía, one of the most beautiful women in the city-state. Auithmot singlehandedly saved his entire battalion during a border skirmish and as such, was granted an audience with Sargon and treated to a glorious feast as a reward. It was a great honor to dine with the king and even Auithmot minded his manners. While he was looking at least. Being the lecherous creature he was, Auithmot made eyes with the queen throughout the dinner.

After a great storm made it impossible for Auithmot to return home safely, Sargon offered him a room in the palace for the night and Auithmot graciously accepted. Now Auithmot's boasts weren't unfounded. He was incredibly attractive to the opposite sex. Which is why he wasn't surprised in the least when Antía turned up in his bedchambers. Skipping ahead to the next morning, Sargon the Great became Sargon the Pissed when he discovered his wife and Auithmot together.

As punishment for her adultery, Antia was stoned to death. Auithmot's punishment was much more elaborate. He was shackled and taken to mystics who lived in the outlying cliffs where an ancient ritual was performed, forever trapping Auithmot's soul in a garish mask; a cruel twist of fate for one as vain as he. Stabbed through the heart for his treachery, Auithmot was killed, though his spirit was forced to live on, inside the mask until the end of days.

...Our intrepid young hero. Working as a dishwasher at Up-N-Away Burger in Steel Canyon wasn't the most glamorous of jobs, but student-loans don't pay themselves off, that's for sure. Oliver Cho was born and raised on the outskirts of the famed "City of Heroes". Suburban life never really agreed with Ollie, so after graduating high school, he decided to move into the city with his best friend Chad and study journalism. Ten minutes after stepping off the bus, he and his friend were mugged. A passing hero saved them (and their money), but the pair were rattled nonetheless. Welcome to the big city indeed.

Fast forward a few weeks. After getting settled and starting his classes, Ollie scored his aforementioned job at Up-N-Away Burger. The pay wasn't that great, but it was a solid gig. Despite his humdrum profession and living arrangements, Ollie was still enthralled by the city itself. Caped crusaders flying overhead as he traveled to and from his classes, super-fast speedsters zipping by him as he made his way to work. More than a few times he'd found himself on the sidelines of some epic battle between a hero and his nemesis.

Chad, the party animal that he is, threw a Halloween bash in their apartment, knowing full well that Ollie needed to study for an exam the next morning. Ollie left the party angrily after accidentally interrupting a threesome in his bedroom. He went for a walk to clear his head, and after thinking it over, Ollie changed his mind and figured he'd try and blow off steam instead of study. On his way back, he passed Pandora's Box, an occult shop not far from his apartment. he spotted a creepy-looking mask in the window and as he had no actual costume of his own, he bought it and as he pulled the mask over his head as he left the shop.

Two hours later he woke up on a rooftop with a splitting headache and no recollection of how he got there. Ollie then clumsily made his way home. He chalked it up to the wild party until he spoke with Chad, who told him he never came back to the party. Confused and still a bit disoriented, he decided to sleep it off. The next morning, Ollie woke to find himself clutching the mask he'd taken. Curious, he pulled it on and almost immediately received visions of ancient wars and battles. While struggling to understand the visions, Ollie called in sick to work, fixated on unearthing the mask's secrets.

Waiting for something to happen, Ollie fell asleep wearing the mask. But when he awoke, a voice spoke within his head, "Don't panic." it said. The voice introduced itself as Auithmot, and went on to explain how he came to be trapped in the mask, and that fate had led Ollie into Pandora's Box as he is a direct descendant of Auithmot himself.

There was more to it than that, however. Dangerous people would be searching for the mask, intent on gaining its power for themselves. Now bestowed powerful abilities, Ollie felt it was his duty to use them. Responsibly.

The mask itself is a vessel for Auithmot's immortal soul and through it, has formed an empathic link with Oliver. As such, Auithmot is privy to all of Ollie's memories. Ollie can similarly access Auithmot's past experiences and memories and through this, Ollie is able to tap into and draw upon the physical abilities of Auithmot; adding his strength, speed and stamina on top of his own. 

Recently, Ollie began studying magic after discovering he possesses a natural affinity for it. While most of his knowledge is limited to minor spells and enchantments, Ollie shows a great deal of untapped talent and potential.

• Transformation: While he originally wore his costume under his clothing, he's learned to magically transform by chanting "Monsterface, Monsterface, Monsterface!"